We all
love our pets. Cats, dogs, ferrets and furry babies of all sorts are members of
the family. They eat and sleep under the same roof. They give affection when
you've had a rough day. Your fridge, mantle and social media are full of
pictures of your animals clowning around, just like any other family member.
Also like
every other member of your family, if your pets get sick, they need
medical care. Medical care for a family member - whether they are
furry
or not - can get expensive. Unlike
what you have access to for other members of your family, veterinary insurance
is something offered by very few employers.
This
unfortunate circumstance can set families up to make tragic decisions. If your
faithful furry friend needs medical care to save its life or daily medication
to keep dangerous conditions at bay, costs can add up quickly. Yet, putting a
price on your pet's life isn't easy. If there are multiple animals involved,
veterinary bills can become a real source of stress. Letting a pet die because
of costs, though, can wreak havoc on your emotional well-being.
There
aren't easy answers to these decisions, and sometimes they're unavoidable.
However, you can take steps to avoid these challenges. Let's take a look at
three steps you can take to keep your furry friends safe and your savings
account flush.
1.)
Stock a veterinary first aid kit
Lots of
pet health crises can be handled by a compassionate hand and some basic
interventions. Scrapes, burns, and bruises can all be handled without
professional intervention. Many accidental ingestion incidents can be solved
with an expert consultation and a little bit of caring.
A first-aid
kit for pets looks an awful lot like a first-aid kit for humans. You should
have supplies for dealing with cuts and scrapes, like gauze, adhesive tape and
an antiseptic spray or cream. For general illnesses, you need a thermometer to
check for fever (make sure to get a fever thermometer- small mammals have
natural body temperatures between 100 and 103), diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for
allergic reactions, and hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting if necessary. You
should also include activated charcoal or milk of magnesia to protect against
accidental poisoning. Other things to include in an emergency first-aid kit
include a blanket, a leash and a muzzle.
It may be
frightening to muzzle or restrain your pet, but try to see it from their
perspective. Your pet is in pain and relying on instinct. Muzzling will help
you feel more calm and secure, since you won't be worried about being bitten.
That calmness will translate to your pet, who will be easier to tend to when
they are a little less panicked.
Before you
take any steps to heal your pet, speak to an expert. Many veterinarians have
emergency contact hours where they may be willing to walk you through basic
first aid. The ASPCA also maintains an animal poison control number where you
can speak to a trained representative. They can tell you if you need to induce
vomiting, what dosage of activated charcoal to administer, or if you need to
seek in-person veterinary help immediately.
2.)
Negotiate
Most
veterinarians got into their practice because they genuinely love animals. They
want to help your pet feel better. If you're not sure about your ability to
pay, be up front about that. There may be several options available to you.
If it's
prescription medication, you may be able to have it filled elsewhere at a
considerable savings. Online pharmacies are usually able to offer discounted
prices on many medications and animal medications are no exception. These
institutions may require a phone call or a fax from your vet, but most
veterinary offices are well-equipped to provide that authorization. When your
vet recommends a medication, ask for a written prescription so you can shop
around to find the best price.
You may
also be able to negotiate the cost of a procedure. Veterinarians may know of
local charities that help fund care for animals in need. They may also be
willing to reduce the cost themselves, or work out a payment plan with you. No
one - especially your vet - wants to see an animal life lost over finances.
3.)
Consider pet insurance
"Pet
insurance" sounds like a ridiculous luxury good for the mega-rich. In
truth, it's no different than any other kind of insurance that protects against
expensive calamity. Compared to a veterinary emergency, these plans are very
affordable. If you have an older pet, it's worth considering.
Programs
like PetAssure offer a 25% discount on any veterinary services you need at
"in-network" veterinarians. There's no deductible and no limits or
exclusions. At $100 per year for 1 dog, the program offers considerable
savings.
Every
part of veterinary care is expensive. Blood tests on a dog, for example, can
easily cost $200. If you need two blood tests in a year, PetAssure pays for
itself. In fact, on average, dog owners spend between $500 and $1,000 each year
on veterinary services. Getting a 25% discount on that price for $100 is an
incredible savings.
Other
programs offer more coverage for more money. Healthy Paws, for example, offers
90% coverage for about $230 per year. How much you choose to insure is a matter
of personal risk tolerance, but getting some form of insurance is a great way
to get peace of mind.
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